Car accidents are a regular occurrence in our area. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, there were more than 128,000 total car accidents reported during the latest year across the Commonwealth. One of the scariest things for a parent or guardian is having a child in the car when an accident occurs. Children are more susceptible to injuries in a crash and they can incur major medical expenses.
What do the child car seat statistics show?
The leading cause of death for children aged 3 to 14 in the United States is car accidents. That is an alarming statistic. Data also shows that, in 2017, more than 790 children aged 12 and younger lost their lives in car accidents. However, the fatality statistics only show part of the overall picture. More than 128,000 children were injured in car accidents during that same time frame.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that during one study year, more than 618,000 children aged 12 and younger rode in vehicles at least some of the time without the proper restraints (car seats, booster seats, seatbelts).
According to the Pennsylvania DOT, child safety seats reduce the risk of fatal injuries by 71% when they are properly installed. Pennsylvania law requires children under the age of 4 to be properly restrained. Children under 2 years old must be secured in a rear-facing seat until they reach the required weight and height limits. Children aged 4 to 8 must be riding in a child booster seat and those aged 8 to 18 must wear seatbelts.
Common child injuries in car accidents
Because a child’s body is still developing, they are at a higher risk of injury when they are involved in car accidents. Some of the most common child injuries that occur in traffic accidents include:
- Head and neck injuries. This can include injuries to the spinal column as well as traumatic brain injuries. This can occur through direct impact with part of the vehicle or through a whiplash motion caused by a sudden impact.
- Airbag injuries. Children who are not properly restrained or in the front seat when they should not be could sustain serious injuries when an airbag is deployed. Car airbags are made for adult passengers, not children.
- Car seat injuries. When a child is improperly secured in a car seat, they are at a high risk of all types of injuries, including harm from the car seat itself.
- Glass injuries. When a car window breaks, the glass could strike a child and cause severe lacerations.
- Fractures. Children commonly incur fractures to their wrists, hands, and feet due to bracing for the impact. A broken pelvis can occur due to a seatbelt.
- Chest injuries. These injuries can occur due to tightening restraints as well as collisions with the seat in front of them. This could lead to rib and lung injuries as well as internal bleeding.
Injured? Who’s at fault?
Child injuries sustained after a car accident caused by another person can receive compensation for their damages. This can include compensation for medical bills, physical therapy, pain and suffering damages, and more. In these cases, it will be important to talk to an attorney who has experience dealing with child car accident injuries. At the Ciccarelli Law Offices, you can count on a skilled child injury attorney to get you and your child through this. You can contact our Philadelphia injury attorneys for a free consultation of your case by filling out a contact form or by calling 610-692-8700.